Connection device

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to a connection device that can provide a new function for an electronic device. 
     A film antenna receives a wireless signal transmitted by radio, a relay unit relays the received wireless signal to a television receiver, an LED indicator emits light based on a control signal transmitted from the television receiver, a storage case stores the film antenna, the relay unit and a light emitting unit, and a connection member connects the storage case to the television receiver. In addition, in a state of being connected to the television receiver, in a normal direction to a housing surface having a display unit on a housing of the television receiver, the storage case has a protruding section which further protrudes from the housing surface and stores the film antenna in the protruding section. For example, this disclosure can be applied to a receiving device having a receiving unit which receives the wireless signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a divisional application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/366,494, filed on Jun. 18, 2014, which is anational phase entry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International ApplicationNo. PCT/JP2012/083143 filed Dec. 20, 2012, published on Jul. 4, 2013 asWO 2013/099774 A1, which claims priority from Japanese PatentApplication No. JP 2011-286215, filed in the Japanese Patent Office onDec. 27, 2011, the disclosures of which are incorporated by referenceherein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a connection device, and particularly to aconnection device that can provide a new function for an electronicdevice connected to the connection device.

BACKGROUND ART

For example, a television receiver having a built-in antenna orintegrated circuit (IC) which is used in wireless communication such aswireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) has been proposed (for example, refer to PTL1). This television receiver is configured to have a wirelesscommunication function.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.2010-114735

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Incidentally, for example, when the television receiver is allowed tohave the built-in antenna or IC in the above-described manner to providethe wireless communication function, it is necessary to increase a sizeof a housing for the television receiver in order to secure a built-inspace thereof.

Therefore, in order to avoid an increase in the size of the televisionreceiver, it is desirable to adopt a configuration where the televisionreceiver is not allowed to have the built-in antenna or IC, but forexample, a connection device having the built-in antenna or IC isconnected to the television receiver so as to be provided with thewireless communication function.

This disclosure is made in view of the above-described circumstances,and aims to provide a new function for an electronic device connected toa connection device.

Solution to Problem

According to an aspect of this disclosure, a connection device that canbe connected to an electronic device includes: a receiving unit thatreceives a wireless signal transmitted by radio; a relay unit thatrelays the received wireless signal to the electronic device; a lightemitting unit that emits light based on a control signal transmittedfrom the electronic device; a storage unit that stores the receivingunit, the relay unit and the light emitting unit; and a deviceconnection unit that connects the storage unit to the electronic device.In a state of being connected to the electronic device, in a normaldirection to a predetermined housing surface on a housing of theelectronic device, the storage unit has a protruding section whichfurther protrudes from the housing surface and stores the receiving unitin the protruding section.

The storage unit may have the protruding section which covers a portionof the housing surface.

The connection device may further include a terminal connection partwhich is connected to a connection terminal, and the storage unit maystore the terminal connection part.

The receiving unit may be an antenna for receiving the wireless signal.

The receiving unit may be the antenna formed on a film.

The connection device may further include a plate-shaped member havingthe antenna, and the storage unit may store the plate-shaped member in aplace where the antenna is stored in the protruding section.

The device connection unit may be attachable to and detachable from theelectronic device.

The receiving unit may be molded in a state of being included in theprotruding section and may have a cutout section which exposes thereceiving unit through a portion of the protruding section. A connectionportion connected to the relay unit may be positioned in the cutoutsection and may be in contact with the receiving unit.

The receiving unit may have a plurality of receiving parts receivingdifferent communications, and a blocking unit which blocks radio waveinterference may be disposed between the plurality of receiving parts.

An upper surface of the blocking unit may be in contact with a portionof the housing of the electronic device.

The electronic device may be a television receiver having a displayunit. In a state of being connected to the television receiver, in anormal direction to the housing surface having the display unit on thehousing of the television receiver, the storage unit may have theprotruding section which further protrudes from the housing surface andmay store the receiving unit in the protruding section.

According to the aspect of this disclosure, the connection deviceincludes a receiving unit that receives a wireless signal transmitted byradio; a relay unit that relays the received wireless signal to theelectronic device; a light emitting unit that emits light based on acontrol signal transmitted from the electronic device; a storage unitthat stores the receiving unit, the relay unit and the light emittingunit; and a device connection unit that connects the storage unit to theelectronic device. In a state of being connected to the electronicdevice, in a normal direction to a predetermined housing surface on ahousing of the electronic device, the storage unit has a protrudingsection which further protrudes from the housing surface and stores thereceiving unit in the protruding section.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a new functionfor an electronic device connected to a connection device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a television receiver in the related art.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of appearance of a television receiveraccording to this disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view when a smart unit is viewed from above.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the smart unit.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view when the smart unit is viewed from below.

FIG. 6 is a side view when the smart unit is viewed from the right side.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functionalconfiguration of the television receiver in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of an internal configuration of the smartunit.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a detailed configuration of a filmantenna.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of appearance of the film antenna.

FIG. 11 is a view for describing connection between the film antenna andcommunication infrastructure.

FIG. 12 is a view for describing the connection between the film antennaand the communication infrastructure.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a rear surface of a communicationboard.

FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating an example of an internalconfiguration when the smart unit is laterally viewed.

FIG. 15 is a side view illustrating an example of an internalconfiguration when the smart unit is laterally viewed.

FIG. 16 is a view for describing a machined surface.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view when the smart unit is viewed from below.

FIG. 18 is a first view illustrating an example of a state of lightemitted by the smart unit.

FIG. 19 is a second view illustrating an example of a state of lightemitted by the smart unit.

FIG. 20 is a side view of a display body supported by a stand.

FIG. 21 illustrates an example of the communication board having a metalsheet antenna.

FIG. 22 is a side view of an interior when the smart unit having thebuilt-in communication board of FIG. 20 is laterally viewed.

FIG. 23 is a front view of the smart unit having the metal sheetantenna.

FIG. 24 illustrates another configuration of a communication circuit.

FIG. 25 is a view when the communication circuit is laterally viewed.

FIG. 26 is a front view of a first television receiver.

FIG. 27 is a side view of the first television receiver.

FIG. 28 is a top view of the first television receiver.

FIG. 29 is a front view of a second television receiver.

FIG. 30 is a side view of the second television receiver.

FIG. 31 is a top view of the second television receiver.

FIG. 32 is a front view of a third television receiver.

FIG. 33 is a side view of the third television receiver.

FIG. 34 is a top view of the third television receiver.

FIG. 35 is a front view of a fourth television receiver.

FIG. 36 is a side view of the fourth television receiver.

FIG. 37 is a top view of the fourth television receiver.

FIG. 38 is a front view of a fifth television receiver.

FIG. 39 is a side view of the fifth television receiver.

FIG. 40 is a top view of the fifth television receiver.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the fifth television receiver.

FIG. 42 is a front view of a sixth television receiver.

FIG. 43 is a side view of the sixth television receiver.

FIG. 44 is a top view of the sixth television receiver.

FIG. 45 is a front view of a seventh television receiver.

FIG. 46 is a side view of the seventh television receiver.

FIG. 47 is a top view of the seventh television receiver.

FIG. 48 is a front view of an eighth television receiver.

FIG. 49 is a side view of the eighth television receiver.

FIG. 50 is a top view of the eighth television receiver.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to this disclosure (hereinafter,referred to as an embodiment) will be described. The description will bemade in the following order.

1. Overview of This Disclosure

2. Present Embodiment

3. Modification Example

1. Overview of this Disclosure

[Television Receiver 1 in Related Art]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a television receiver 1 in the related art.

The television receiver 1 in the related art is mainly configured tohave a panel 21 for displaying an image and a frame 22 formed tosurround four sides of the panel 21, and performs a process according toan operation signal transmitted from a remote controller (notillustrated) which a user operates, for example.

In addition, a USB terminal connection part 22 a for connecting auniversal serial bus (USB) terminal, for example, is disposed on a sidesurface of the left side in the drawing, in a housing of the televisionreceiver 1. Furthermore, for example, in the television receiver 1, alower side (one side of the lower side in the drawing) of the frame 22has a light receiving circuit 22 b which receives an infrared ray fromthe remote controller (not illustrated) as the operation signal, adetection circuit 22 c which detects ambient brightness, a speaker andthe like, all of which are built therein. In addition, a rear surface ofthe panel 21 has a built-in communication circuit 22 d which performswireless communication using wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi).

For example, this disclosure is made through modularization byseparating the USB terminal connection part 22 a, the light receivingcircuit 22 b, the detection circuit 22 c and the communication circuit22 d which are included in the television receiver 1 in the related art.A smart unit obtained through the modularization is added (connected) toa predetermined electronic device. In this manner, it is possible toprovide a new function for the predetermined electronic device.

Furthermore, for example, soft light is emitted from the smart unitobtained through the modularization so as to surround the smart unit,thereby improving design characteristics (for example, visual beauty).

2. Embodiment

[Example of Appearance of Television Receiver 41]

Next, FIG. 2 illustrates an example of appearance of a televisionreceiver 41 according to this disclosure.

The television receiver 41 is configured to have a display body 61, asmart unit 62 added (connected) to a lower portion of the display body61, and a stand 63 supporting the display body 61.

The display body 61 can be configured to be attachable to and detachablefrom the stand 63. When the display body 61 is configured to beattachable to and detachable from the stand 63, if the display body 61is detached from the stand 63, the display body 61 to which the smartunit 62 is added can be used as the television receiver 41 for wallmounting.

The display body 61 has a built-in tuner and displays contents such as abroadcasting program received via the tuner. For example, only minimumnecessary circuits for receiving and displaying the broadcasting programare mounted on the display body 61 without the light receiving circuit22 b, the detection circuit 22 c and the communication circuit 22 dbeing built as illustrated in FIG. 1 therein.

For example, the smart unit 62 has the USB terminal connection part 22a, the light receiving circuit 22 b, the detection circuit 22 c and thecommunication circuit 22 d as illustrated in FIG. 1 , all of which arebuilt therein, and is added to the display body 61.

The smart unit 62 added to the display body 61 functions as a part ofthe display body 61. That is, the smart unit 62 is added to the displaybody 61, thereby providing a function included in the smart unit 62 forthe display body 61.

In addition, the smart unit 62 is attachable to and detachable from thedisplay body 61. Here, the smart unit 62 obtained through themodularization is described as an example, and a case where the smartunit 62 is attachable to and detachable from the display body 61 isdescribed as an example. However, it does not mean that this technologydescribed below is limited in application to a smart unit. For example,an application scope of this technology is not limited to the case wherethe smart unit 62 and an electronic device (display body 61) areseparately configured, but this technology can also be applied to a caseof an integrated configuration.

Furthermore, for example, the smart unit 62 has a built-in lightemitting diode (LED) indicator 182 (to be described later using FIG. 7 )which emits light in response to a state of the display body 61, andcontrols light emitting or switching-off of the LED indicator 182according to a control transmitted from the display body 61.

Here, the description will be continued under a condition that the lightemitting or the switching-off of the LED indicator 182 is controlledaccording to the control transmitted from the display body 61. However,a configuration can be made so that the light emitting or theswitching-off of the LED indicator 182 is controlled according to itsown control of the smart unit 62.

For example, when the smart unit 62 is configured to be attachable toand detachable from a main body of the display body 61, a configurationcan be made so that the light emitting or the switching-off of the LEDindicator 182 is controlled by detecting a state of the display body 61by the smart unit 62 itself, for example, a state where power is turnedon and by matching the state thereof. In addition, the smart unit 62itself may control the light emitting or the switching-off of the LEDindicator 182, and may be adapted to function as one of interior items.

In the television receiver 41, the light receiving circuit 22 b, thedetection circuit 22 c and the communication circuit 22 d as illustratedin FIG. 1 are not built in the display body 61, and are separated fromthe display body 61 so as to configure the smart unit 62.

Therefore, since the television receiver 1 in the related art has thelight receiving circuit 22 b, the detection circuit 22 c and thecommunication circuit 22 d which are built therein, the lower side ofthe frame 22 is increased in width. However, in the television receiver41, it is possible to prevent the frame from being increased in width.That is, according to this technology, it is possible to realize anarrow frame.

In addition, in the television receiver 41, for example, it is possibleto dispose the communication circuit 22 d in the smart unit 62.

In the television receiver 1 in the related art illustrated in FIG. 1 ,the communication circuit 22 d is disposed on a rear surface of thepanel 21. If the communication circuit 22 d is disposed on the rearsurface of the panel 21, there is a possibility that the wireless signaltransmitted by radio may be blocked by the panel 21. However, accordingto this technology, it is possible to dispose the communication circuit22 d in the smart unit 62. The smart unit 62 is arranged at a positiondifferent from that of the panel, and thus is not affected by the panel.That is, by disposing the communication circuit 22 d in the smart unit62, it is possible to prevent the possibility that the wireless signaltransmitted by radio may be blocked by the panel of the display body 61.

Furthermore, the light receiving circuit 22 b, the detection circuit 22c and the communication circuit 22 d which are disposed in separateplaces in the television receiver 1 in the related art are integrated inthe smart unit 62 in a case of the television receiver 41.

Therefore, a user can easily recognize a position where an infrared rays(IR) receiving unit 173 (to be described later using FIG. 7 ) whichreceives (receives light of) an operation signal transmitted from theremote controller is disposed, as a position where the smart unit 62 isarranged.

Accordingly, for example, when operating the remote controller (notillustrated), the user can operate a light emitting portion of theremote controller to be directed to the smart unit 62 so that theoperation signal from the remote controller is emitted toward the smartunit 62.

Accordingly, for example, the smart unit 62 of the television receiver41 can receive (receive the light of) the operation signal transmittedfrom the remote controller (not illustrated) under better conditions.

In addition, in the television receiver 41, since the smart unit 62 isconfigured to be attachable to and detachable from the display body 61,the smart unit 62 can be replaced by a smart unit having differentfunctions if necessary.

Therefore, a user who purchases the television receiver 41 replaces thesmart unit 62 with another smart unit having more functions, therebyenabling the television receiver 41 to be upgraded.

In addition, when manufacturing the television receiver 41, depending onwhich function of the smart unit 62 connected to the display body 61 isrequired, it is possible to manufacture the television receiver 41having different functions.

Therefore, when manufacturing the television receiver 41, it is possibleto manufacture the display body 61 and the smart unit 62 by usingdifferent manufacturing lines. Accordingly, as compared to thetelevision receiver 1 in the related art which is manufactured by usingthe same manufacturing line, it is possible to improve productionefficiency of the television receiver 41.

In addition, for example, it is not necessary for the display body 61 tohave a built-in IC chip for performing wireless communication.Accordingly, for example, as compared to a case of manufacturing thetelevision receiver 1 in the related art, it is possible to saveman-hour during the manufacturing.

Furthermore, the improved production efficiency of the televisionreceiver 41 and the saved man-hour when manufacturing the display body61 can relatively reduce the manufacturing cost of the televisionreceiver 41.

[Example of Appearance of Smart Unit 62]

Next, referring to FIGS. 3 and 6 , appearance of the smart unit 62 willbe described.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view when a single body of the smart unit 62 isviewed from above in a state where the display body 61 illustrated inFIG. 2 is detached therefrom. FIG. 4 is a front view of the smart unit62. FIG. 5 is a perspective view when the smart unit 62 is viewed frombelow. FIG. 6 is a side view when the smart unit is viewed from theright side.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the smart unit 62 is configured to have afront panel 101, a storage case 102, a connection member 103, a rearcover 104 and a light guide plate 105.

The front panel 101 has a plate shape, and a rear surface of the frontpanel 101 and a front surface of the storage case 102 are bonded so asto cover the front surface of the storage case 102. Here, the term ofthe front surface means a surface which is present in a direction to thefront panel 101 (leftward and downward direction in FIG. 3 ). This isthe same even for other drawings.

In addition, for example, a film antenna 121 (to be described laterusing FIG. 4 ) formed by adding an antenna used in the wirelesscommunication to a film, or a camera board 201 (to be described laterusing FIG. 8 ) mainly having a camera is built in between the frontpanel 101 and the storage case 102.

Therefore, for example, the front panel 101 is configured to have amaterial which transmits a wireless signal used in the wirelesscommunication (for example, a plastic or a resin film having hightransmittance for electromagnetic waves).

The film antenna 121 has a detection electrode functioning as a touchsensor which detects whether a user's hand is approaching or touching,and detects an approaching operation or a touching operation on a rightend portion 111 of the storage case 102, and the approaching operationor the touching operation on a lower end portion 112 of the storage case102 (portion bonded to a bottom side portion of the front panel 101).

Furthermore, for example, an exposure hole 101 a for exposing a lens ofa camera 175 (refer to FIG. 8 ) disposed on the camera board 201 isdisposed on the surface of the front panel 101 (opposite surface to thesurface bonded to the storage case 102).

In addition, for example, the surface of the front panel 101 can be usedas a decorative part on which logos or designs of a manufacturer whomanufactures the smart unit 62 can be drawn.

For the television receiver 41, the display body 61 and the smart unit62 can be separately manufactured. For example, when manufacturing thetelevision receiver 41, the smart unit 62 can be mounted on the displaybody 61 after the relatively small smart unit 62 is decorated.

Therefore, for example, as compared to a case where the frame ofrelatively large television receiver 1 in the related art is decorated,the television receiver 41 can be more easily decorated.

The storage case 102 has a substantially rectangular parallelepipedshape (details to be described later with reference to FIG. 8 ), andstores the film antenna 121, microphones 176 and 177, the camera board201, USB terminal connection parts 180 and 181, a communication board202 having an IC used in the wireless communication, and the light guideplate 105.

The front surface of the storage case 102 is bonded to the rear surfaceof the front panel 101 so as to be overlapped with each other. Asdescribed above, the film antenna 121 (refer to FIG. 4 ) and the cameraboard 201 (refer to FIG. 8 ) are built in between the storage case 102and the front panel 101.

In addition, an upper surface of the storage case 102 is covered by theconnection member 103, and a rear surface of the storage case 102 iscovered by the rear cover 104. Furthermore, both side surfaces of thestorage case 102 have a rectangular insertion port, through which a USBterminal can be connected to the USB terminal connection parts 180 and181 disposed on the communication board 202 from outside.

Here, the description will be continued under a condition that the smartunit 62 and the main body 61 are connected to each other via the USBterminal connection parts 180 and 181, but the connection therebetweenmay be made by using an interface other than the USB. For example, thesmart unit 62 and the main body 61 may be connected to each other byusing the interface such as a universal asynchronous receivertransmitter (UART).

In addition, a through hole 102 a which is a hole formed from the frontsurface through the bottom surface of the storage case 102 is disposedin the storage case 102. The through hole 102 a is disposed below aportion overlapped with the rear surface of the front panel 101, withinthe front surface of the storage case 102. The light guide plate 105 isstored in the through hole 102 a. Here, description is made inassociation with the light guide plate, but the shape thereof may be acylindrical shape without being limited to the plate shape. In addition,a case is also included where the light guide plate 105 is formed bycombining a plurality of plate-shaped members.

Furthermore, an opening 102 a ₁ (to be described later using FIG. 4 ) ofthe through hole 102 a is formed on the front surface of the storagecase 102, and an opening 102 a ₂ (to be described later using FIG. 5 )of the through hole 102 a is formed on the bottom surface of the storagecase 102.

The connection member 103 is bonded to the storage case 102 so as tocover the upper surface of the storage case 102. In addition, thesurface of the connection member 103 (opposite surface to the surfacecovering the upper surface of the storage case 102) is formed so thatthe display body 61 is attachable thereto and detachable therefrom.

The rear cover 104 is bonded so as to be overlapped with the rearsurface of the storage case 102.

The light guide plate 105 is stored in the storage case 102 so as to beinserted into the through hole 102 a disposed in the storage case 102.In addition, the light guide plate 105 has a concave surface 105 a (tobe described later using FIG. 8 ) which is a recess-shaped surface forguiding light emitted from the LED disposed on the communication board202 stored in the storage case 102 to the opening 102 a ₁ of the frontsurface side or the opening 102 a ₂ of the bottom surface side.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the smart unit 62, and is a view when thefront panel 101 is viewed from front. FIG. 5 is a perspective view whenthe smart unit 62 is viewed from below. Referring to FIG. 4 , theopening 102 a ₁ formed to partially protrude from the lower side of thefront panel 101 is disposed on the front surface of the storage case102.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the light guide plate 105 is inserted intothe opening 102 a ₁ disposed on the front surface of the storage case102, and is stored in the through hole 102 a. That is, the light guideplate 105 is stored in the through hole 102 a so as to close the opening102 a ₁ disposed on the front surface of the storage case 102 and thecrescent-shaped opening 102 a ₂ formed in an arc shape on the bottomsurface of the storage case 102 as illustrated in FIG. 5 .

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 4 , the film antenna 121 is storedby adhering to the rear surface of the front panel 101. The film antenna121 will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 .

Next, FIG. 6 is a side view when the smart unit 62 illustrated in FIG. 4is viewed from the right side in FIG. 4 .

As illustrated in FIG. 6 , the side surface of the storage case 102 hasa substantially L-shape. As illustrated in FIG. 6 , the storage case 102stores the light guide plate 105 having the concave surface 105 a whichis the recess-shaped surface, in the through hole 102 a formed from thefront surface to the bottom surface of the storage case 102.

In addition, the storage case 102 stores the film antenna 121 on thefurther front side (left side in the drawing) from a display screen ofthe display body 61.

That is, for example, the storage case 102 is formed to have aprotruding section which further protrudes from the housing surfacethereof in a normal direction to the predetermined housing surfacewithin the surface of the housing of the display body 61.

Specifically, for example, the storage case 102 is formed to have aprotruding section protruding to the further left side in the drawingfrom the surface having the display screen of the display body 61 in thenormal direction to the surface having the display screen of the displaybody 61. Then, the film antenna 121 is stored in the protruding sectionof the storage case 102. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6 , theprotruding section of the storage case 102 is formed so as to cover aportion of the surface having the display screen of the display body 61.

Therefore, the wireless signal is not blocked by the influence of thedisplay body 61 (metal or the like included in the display body 61).Thus, the smart unit 62 can perform the wireless communication.

The storage case 102 is manufactured in a state where it is determinedin advance that the protruding section of the storage case 102 is toprotrude to any surface of the housing of the display body 61.

In this case, in FIG. 6 , it is assumed that a user is present in adirection where the surface having the display screen of the displaybody 61 is present, that is, in the leftward direction in the drawing.Then, it is assumed that the user performs the wireless communicationwith the smart unit 62 by using a portable communication device.

Therefore, the storage case 102 is formed so that the protruding sectionof the storage case 102 protrudes to the surface having the displayscreen of the display body 61.

In addition, the camera board 201 is also stored in the protrudingsection of the storage case 102. An IR light receiving unit 173 (to bedescribed later using FIG. 7 ) which receives (receives light of) theoperation signal as an infrared ray emitted from the remote controller(not illustrated) is disposed on the camera board 201.

Therefore, in the smart unit 62, in addition to the wireless signal, theoperation signal is not blocked in the same manner. It is possible toreceive the operation signal without the operation signal as thewireless signal being blocked by the display body 61.

[Functional Block Diagram of Television Receiver 41]

Next, FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a functional configuration of thetelevision receiver 41.

The display body 61 and the smart unit 62 are electrically connected toeach other.

The display body 61 is configured to include a power supply unit 141, aDC/DC converter 142, a panel drive unit 143, a panel 144, a backlightunit 145, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) switch 146, HDMIterminals 147 ₁ to 147 ₃, an analog AV input terminal 148, a PC inputterminal 149, an analog audio output terminal 150, an optical digitalaudio output terminal 151, a LAN terminal 152, a tuner 153, an antennaterminal 154, a CAS card I/F 155, a B-CAS (registered trademark) card156, a control unit 157, an audio amplifier 158 and a speaker 159.

The power supply unit 141 is connected to external AC power supply,converts the received AC power supply into DC power supply having apredetermined voltage, and supplies the DC power to the DC/DC converter142. The DC/DC converter 142 converts a first power supply voltagesupplied from the power supply unit 141 into a second power supplyvoltage, and supplies the second power supply voltage to the respectiveunits such as the panel drive unit 143, the control unit 157 and thesmart unit 62. The power supply voltages supplied to the respectiveunits may be different from or the same as each other.

Based on an image signal supplied from the control unit 157, the paneldrive unit 143 drives the panel 144 and the backlight unit 145 todisplay an image. The backlight unit 145 is arranged on a rear surfaceside of the panel 144. The panel 144 and the backlight unit 145configure a liquid crystal display (LCD). Based on a drive control ofthe panel drive unit 143, the panel 144 controls an opening of a liquidcrystal of each pixel. Based on the drive control of the panel driveunit 143, the backlight unit 145 emits light with predeterminedbrightness.

Based on the control signal transmitted from the control unit 157, theHDMI switch 146 appropriately switches the HDMI terminals 147 ₁ to 147₃, and performs relay of a HDMI signal exchanged between an externaldevice connected to the HDMI terminals 147 ₁ to 147 ₃ and the controlunit 157. The respective HDMI terminals 147 ₁ to 147 ₃ exchange the HDMIsignal with the external device which is connected to each terminal.

The analog AV input terminal 148 inputs an analog audio and visualsignal (AV signal) transmitted from the external device, and suppliesthe AV signal to the control unit 157.

For example, the PC input terminal 149 is configured to have a miniD-Sub 15 pin terminal, inputs an analog image signal out of the AVsignals output by a personal computer, and supplies the image signal tothe control unit 157.

The analog audio output terminal 150 outputs an analog audio signalsupplied from the control unit 157, to the connected external device.The optical digital audio output terminal 151 outputs an audio opticaldigital signal supplied from the control unit 157, to the connectedexternal device.

For example, the LAN terminal 152 is configured to have a10BASE-T/100BASE-TX connector, and is connected to a predeterminednetwork such as a home network and the Internet.

The tuner 153 is connected to an antenna (not illustrated) via theantenna terminal 154, acquires a broadcast signal having a predeterminedchannel from radio waves received by the antenna, and supplies thebroadcast signal to the control unit 157. In the present embodiment, forexample, the radio wave received by the tuner 153 is to be a broadcastsignal of digital terrestrial broadcasting.

The B-CAS (registered trademark) card 156 storing an encryption key fordescrambling the broadcast signal in the digital terrestrialbroadcasting is inserted into the CAS card I/F 155. The CAS card I/F 155reads out the encryption key stored in the B-CAS (registered trademark)card 156, and supplies the encryption key to the control unit 157.

The control unit 157 performs an overall control on the televisionreceiver 41. For example, the control unit 157 performs an analog todigital (A/D) conversion process for the image signal and the audiosignal, a digital to analog (D/A) conversion process, descramblingprocess for the broadcast signal, and a decoding process. In addition,the control unit 157 performs the control based on a brightness signal,an IR signal, a touch sensor signal and a universal serial bus (USB) I/Fsignal which are transmitted from the smart unit 62 (to be describedlater), and also performs an LED control of the light emitting diode(LED) indicator 182. The control unit 157 can be configured to have asingle chip (SoC: system on a chip).

The audio amplifier 158 amplifies the analog audio signal supplied fromthe control unit 157 and supplies the signal to the speaker 159. Thespeaker 159 outputs the audio according to the analog audio signaltransmitted from the audio amplifier 158.

Next, a configuration of the smart unit 62 of the television receiver 41will be described.

The camera board 201, the communication board 202 and the film antenna121 are mainly stored in the storage case 102 of the smart unit 62.

The camera board 201 has a relay unit 171, a brightness sensor 172, anIR light receiving unit 173, an encoder 174 and the camera 175. Inaddition, the storage case 102 stores the microphone 176 and themicrophone 177 so as to interpose the camera board 201 therebetween.

The brightness signal, the IR signal, the USB I/F signal and the touchsensor signal (to be described later) are exchanged between the controlunit 157 of the display body 61 and the smart unit 62 via the relay unit171.

The brightness sensor 172 detects brightness around the televisionreceiver 41 (for example, brightness in a room where the televisionreceiver 41 is installed), and supplies a detection result thereof tothe control unit 157 via the relay unit 171 as the brightness signal.

For example, when a user operates the remote controller (notillustrated), the IR light receiving unit 173 receives the light of theIR signal corresponding to the user's operation which is emitted fromthe remote controller, and supplies the IR signal to the control unit157 via the relay unit 171.

The camera 175, the microphone 176 and the microphone 177 are connectedto the encoder 174. The camera 175 is configured to have image sensingdevices such as a charge coupled device (CCD) and a complementary metaloxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, and supplies the image signalobtained by imaging to the encoder 174. The microphone 176 and themicrophone 177 respectively supply the audio signal obtained bycollecting the sound to the encoder 174. The encoder 174 performs asignal process such as the A/D conversion process for the image signaland the audio signal and the encoding process, converts the processedsignal into the USB I/F signal, and supplies the USB I/F signal to thecontrol unit 157 via the relay unit 171.

The communication board 202 has a relay unit 178, a control unit 179,the USB terminal connection part 180, the USB terminal connection part181 and the LED indicator 182.

The power supplied from the display body 61 is supplied to each unit ofthe smart unit 62 via the relay unit 178. In addition, the LED controlsignal and the USB I/F signal (to be described later) are also exchangedbetween the control unit 157 of the display body 61 and the smart unit62 via the relay unit 178.

The relay unit 178 outputs the USB I/F signal in conformity to a USBstandard which is supplied from the control unit 179, to the controlunit 157. In addition, the relay unit 178 supplies the USB I/F signal orthe LED control signal transmitted from the control unit 157, to thecontrol unit 179.

The control unit 179 is connected to the relay unit 178, the USBterminal connection part 180, the USB terminal connection part 181, theLED indicator 182, a Bluetooth (registered trademark: BT) antenna 186, anear field communication (NFC) antenna 187 and a Wi-Fi antenna 188.

The control unit 179 supplies data supplied from the relay unit 178 asthe USB I/F signal, to the BT antenna 186, and transmits the data to acommunication device such as a mobile phone (a so-called smart phone)for example, by the wireless communication using Bluetooth (registeredtrademark). In addition, the control unit 179 receives the datatransmitted from the communication device by the wireless communicationusing the Bluetooth (registered trademark) via the BT antenna 186,converts the data into the USB I/F signal, and supplies the USB I/Fsignal to the control unit 157 via the relay unit 178.

The control unit 179 supplies the data supplied from the relay unit 178as the USB I/F signal, to the NFC antenna 187, and transmits the data tothe communication device such as the mobile phone for example, bynon-contact proximity wireless communication using NFC. In addition, thecontrol unit 179 receives the data transmitted from the communicationdevice by the non-contact proximity wireless communication using theNFC, via the NFC antenna 187, converts the data into the USB I/F signal,and supplies the USB I/F signal to the control unit 157 via the relayunit 178.

The control unit 179 supplies the data supplied from the relay unit 178as the USB I/F signal, to the Wi-Fi antenna 188, and transmits the USBI/F signal to the communication device such as the mobile phone forexample, by the wireless communication using Wi-Fi. In addition, thecontrol unit 179 receives the data transmitted from the communicationdevice by the wireless communication using the Wi-Fi, via the Wi-Fiantenna 188, converts the data into the USB I/F signal, and supplies USBI/F signal to the control unit 157 via the relay unit 178.

The USB terminal connection part 180 and the USB terminal connectionpart 181 are connectors to which the USB terminal is connected. Forexample, a USB memory or a hard disk storage device as an externalstorage device is connected to the USB terminal connection part 180 orthe USB terminal connection part 181. Both of the USB terminalconnection part 180 and the USB terminal connection part 181 aredisposed so as to oppose the side surface of the housing of the smartunit 62.

For example, the LED indicator 182 has built-in LED units 182 a to 182c, and turns on or off the LED units 182 a to 182 c based on the LEDcontrol signal supplied from the control unit 157 via the relay unit 178and the control unit 179.

The LED units 182 a to 182 c are configured to respectively have an LEDwhich emits red light, an LED which emits green light and an LED whichemits blue light. In the present embodiment, the LED unit 182 a isadapted to emit only single color light (for example, white color).Therefore, for example, the LED unit 182 a may be configured to have anLED which emits white light. In the present embodiment, the descriptionis made under a condition that the LED unit 182 a is configured to haveonly the LED which emits the white light.

The film antenna 121 has the touch detection unit 183, the detectionelectrode 184, the detection electrode 185, the BT antenna 186, the NFCantenna 187 and the Wi-Fi antenna 188.

The touch detection unit 183 is connected to the detection electrode 184and the detection electrode 185. Based on a change in electrostaticcapacitance which is caused by the detection electrode 184, the touchdetection unit 183 detects a user's approaching operation or touchingoperation with respect to the right end portion 111 of the smart unit62, and supplies the detection result thereof to the control unit 157via the relay unit 171 as a touch sensor signal.

In addition, based on a change in electrostatic capacitance which iscaused by the detection electrode 185, the touch detection unit 183detects the user's approaching operation or touching operation withrespect to the lower end portion 112 of the smart unit 62, and suppliesthe detection result thereof to the control unit 157 via the relay unit171 as the touch sensor signal.

The detection electrode 184 and the detection electrode 185 areelectrodes whose electrostatic capacitance is changed in response to theapproach of a human finger or the like.

The detection electrode 184 is built in the housing of the smart unit 62(rear side of the right end portion 111 of the smart unit 62). Thedetection electrode 184 is used for detecting an operation of switchinga state of the power source in the television receiver 41 over to eitheran on-state or an off-state, as the user's approaching operation ortouching operation with respect to the right end portion 111.

In addition, the detection electrode 185 is built in the housing of thesmart unit 62 (rear side of the lower end portion 112 of the smart unit62). The detection electrode 185 is used for detecting an operation ofadjusting a sound volume of the television receiver 41 for example, asthe user's approaching operation or touching operation with respect tothe lower end portion 112.

The BT antenna 186 is an antenna used in the communication device suchas the mobile phone for example, when performing the wirelesscommunication using Bluetooth (registered trademark). The NFC antenna187 is an antenna used in the communication device when performing thenon-contact proximity wireless communication using the NFC. The Wi-Fiantenna 188 is an antenna used in the communication device whenperforming the wireless communication using the Wi-Fi.

[Internal Configuration of Smart Unit 62]

Next, referring to FIG. 8 , a detailed configuration of the storage case102 of the smart unit 62 will be mainly described. FIG. 8 illustrates anexample of an internal configuration of the smart unit 62.

The storage case 102 is formed to have a bottom surface 221, a sidesurface 222, a side surface 223 and a front surface 224.

The bottom surface 221 stores the communication board 202 having the USBterminal connection parts 180 and 181. In order to prevent the drawingfrom being complicated, only the USB terminal connection parts 180 and181 are illustrated on the surface of the communication board 202. Forexample, an IC or the like which functions as the control unit 179 isdisposed between the USB terminal connection parts 180 and 181.

The side surface 222 and the side surface 223 are respectively disposedin a horizontal direction to the bottom surface 221 in the drawing, soas to surround a bottom face of the bottom surface 221.

The side surface 222 has a rectangular insertion port for connecting aUSB memory to the USB terminal connection part 180, and a connectionportion of the USB terminal connection part 180 is visible from outsideof the housing of the smart unit 62 through the insertion port of theside surface 222.

In addition, the side surface 223 has a rectangular insertion port forconnecting the USB memory to the USB terminal connection part 181, and aconnection portion of the USB terminal connection part 181 is visiblefrom outside of the housing of the smart unit 62 through the insertionport of the side surface 223.

The side surface 222 and the side surface 223 support the connectionmember 103. In addition, the side surface 222 and the side surface 223are bonded to the rear cover 104. This causes the communication board202 to be stored in a state of being surrounded with the bottom surface221, the side surface 222, the side surface 223, the front surface 224,the connection member 103 and the rear cover 104.

The front surface 224 is disposed in front of the bottom surface 221(direction where the front panel 101 is present) so as to surround thebottom face of the bottom surface 221. A height of the front surface 224is higher than a height of the side surface 222 and the side surface223. Therefore, for example, a shape when the storage case 102 is viewedfrom the side surface 223 side is an L-shape as illustrated in FIG. 6 .

In addition, the rectangular opening 102 a ₁ is disposed on the frontsurface 224. The light guide plate 105 is inserted into and stored inthe opening 102 a ₁.

Furthermore, the front surface 224 has a cylindrical portion 102 b and acylindrical portion 102 c respectively formed on the left end side andthe right end side in the drawing. The microphone 176 is stored in thecylindrical portion 102 b, and the microphone 177 is stored in thecylindrical portion 102 c, respectively.

In addition, the front surface 224 has a recess 102 d on an upper sideof the opening 102 a ₁ between the cylindrical portion 102 b and thecylindrical portion 102 c. The camera board 201 is arranged and storedin the recess 102 d.

In addition, the recess 102 d has a hole 102 e for passing a signal linewhich electrically connects the BT antenna 186, the NFC antenna 187 andthe Wi-Fi antenna 188 which are disposed in the film antenna 121 (referto all in FIG. 9 ) with the control unit 179 (not illustrated) on thecommunication board 202. Furthermore, the recess 102 d has a groove 102f for arranging a signal line 121 a (to be described later using FIG. 9) which electrically connects the camera board 201 with the touchdetection unit 183 disposed in the film antenna 121.

In the camera board 201, the encoder 174 and the camera 175 are disposedon a surface opposing the front panel 101. In addition, in order toprevent the drawing from being complicated, only the encoder 174 and thecamera 175 are illustrated on the camera board 201, and thus thebrightness sensor 172, the IR light receiving unit 173 and the like areomitted in the illustration.

In the camera board 201, for example, the surface opposing the frontpanel 101 has the brightness sensor 172 and the IR light receiving unit173 which are disposed so that light receiving surfaces thereof aredirected toward the front panel 101 side. In addition, for example, inthe camera board 201, the relay unit 171 is disposed on the rear side ofthe surface opposing the front panel 101.

Furthermore, the light guide plate 105 has a concave surface 105 a, andas illustrated in FIG. 8 , a bottom face of the concave surface 105 a isa plate-shaped member formed in a semicircular shape.

The storage case 102 stores the light guide plate 105 in a state where alinear-shaped section formed in a portion corresponding to a chord of asemicircle, within the semicircular bottom face of the concave surface105 a, is exposed through the opening 102 a ₁ disposed in the lowerportion of the front panel 101, as illustrated in FIG. 4 .

In addition, the storage case 102 stores the light guide plate 105 in astate where a portion formed in the portion corresponding to the chordof the semicircle, within the semicircular bottom face of the concavesurface 105 a, is exposed through the opening 102 a ₂ disposed in thebottom face (bottom surface 221 in FIG. 8 ) of the storage case 102, asillustrated in FIG. 5 .

[Details of Film Antenna 121]

Next, FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a detailed configuration of thefilm antenna 121 added to the rear side of the front panel 101.

As illustrated in FIG. 9 , for example, the film antenna 121 isconfigured so that the touch detection unit 183, the detection electrode184, the detection electrode 185, the BT antenna 186, the NFC antenna187 and the Wi-Fi antenna 188 which serve as the IC are arranged on afilm. The film on which the touch detection unit 183 and the like arearranged can employ a film formed of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), apolyimide film or the like.

In addition, the touch detection unit 183 is connected to the detectionelectrode 184 and the detection electrode 185, and is also connected tothe signal line 121 a for outputting the detection result based on thechange in the electrostatic capacitance of the detection electrode 184and the detection electrode 185. In FIG. 9 , in order to prevent thedrawing from being complicated, the signal line connecting the touchdetection unit 183 and the detection electrode 185 is partially omittedin the illustration.

In addition, in the film antenna 121, as illustrated in FIG. 9 , the BTantenna 186 and the Wi-Fi antenna 188 are separately arranged as much aspossible. This can prevent a situation where interference occurs betweenthe wireless communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark) andthe wireless communication using the Wi-Fi.

As described below, a member for blocking radio wave interference, suchas a gasket, is disposed between the BT antenna 186 and the Wi-Fiantenna 188. In this manner, it is possible to adopt a configurationwhich can further prevent the situation where the interference occursbetween the wireless communication using Bluetooth (registeredtrademark) and the wireless communication using the Wi-Fi.

Furthermore, one side of the signal line 121 a on the film antenna 121is connected to the touch detection unit 183, and the other side isconnected to the IC (relay unit 171) on the camera board 201. The signalline 121 a is arranged in the groove 102 f of FIG. 8 to be connected tothe IC on the camera board 201. A relationship between the camera board201 and the signal line 121 a will be described in detail with referenceto FIG. 10 .

Incidentally, as illustrated in FIG. 9 , the touch detection unit 183 isarranged in the film antenna 121. However, for example, the touchdetection unit 183 may be disposed on the camera board 201.

However, in this case, it is necessary that the number of signal linesconnecting the detection electrodes 184 and 185 on the film antenna 121with the touch detection unit 183 on the camera board 201 is set to bethe same as the total number of the detection electrodes 184 and 185.

Therefore, it is desirable that the touch detection unit 183 be arrangedon the film antenna 121 and a single signal line serving as the signalline 121 a be connected to the camera board 201.

Next, referring to FIG. 10 , an example of appearance when the filmantenna 121 is arranged between the front panel 101 and the camera board201 is illustrated.

“A” of FIG. 10 illustrates an example when the film antenna 121 of FIG.9 is viewed from the opposite side (rear side of the drawing in FIG. 9).

“B” of FIG. 10 illustrates an example when the film antenna 121 isarranged between the front panel 101 and the camera board 201.

The film antenna 121 is deformed from a state illustrated by “A” of FIG.10 to a state illustrated by “B” of FIG. 10 . That is, as illustrated by“B” of FIG. 10 , the film antenna 121 is bent so that the detectionelectrode 184 is directed to the upper side in “B” of FIG. 10 , thedetection electrode 185 is directed to the lower side in “B” of FIG. 10and the signal line 121 a can be connected to the relay unit 171disposed on the rear side of the camera board 201.

Then, the film antenna 121 is arranged between the front panel 101 andthe camera board 201 in the deformed state illustrated by “B” of FIG. 10.

Here, connection between the film antenna 121 and the control unit 179will be additionally described. As described with reference to FIG. 8 ,the configuration has been described where the BT antenna 186, the NFCantenna 187 and the Wi-Fi antenna 188 which are disposed in the filmantenna 121 (refer to all in FIG. 9 ) are electrically connected to theIC functioning as the control unit 179 of the communicationinfrastructure 202 by a signal line arranged via the hole 102 e.

In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 11 , when the front panel 101 islaterally viewed, the front panel 101 and the film antenna 121 arebonded to each other using a double-sided tape 301, for example. Then,the signal line from the film antenna 121 is inserted into the hole 102e disposed in the storage case 102, and is connected to the control unit179 of the communication infrastructure 202 stored in the storage case102.

In this manner, it is possible to configure the film antenna 121 to beconnected to the communication infrastructure 202 via the signal line.However, if the film antenna is connected to the communicationinfrastructure 202 by inserting the signal line into the hole 102 e andsoldering the signal line inserted into the hole 102 e, there is apossibility that it may take labor and time during the manufacturingprocess.

Therefore, instead of the signal line, a configuration may be made forthe connection by using a spring, for example. Referring to FIG. 12 , acontact portion 311 is disposed in the communication infrastructure 202.The contact portion 311 is fixed to the communication infrastructure 202by the soldering or the like and is connected to the control unit 179(not illustrated in FIG. 12 ).

In addition, the film antenna 121 is molded in a state of being includedin the front panel 101. A cutout section 321 is formed on thecommunication infrastructure 202 side within the front panel 101. In aportion of the cutout section 321, the film antenna 121 is in an exposedstate from the front panel 101. The film antenna 121 exposed through thecutout section 321 is configured to be in contact with a portion of thecontact portion 311.

The contact portion 311 may be formed to have a material which enablesthe film antenna 121 and the communication infrastructure 202 (controlunit 179) to be electrically connected to each other. In addition, ashape of the contact portion 311 may be a plate shape or a rod shape.Furthermore, the contact portion 311 may be configured to have a platehaving a thickness to some extent, and one surface of the plate may beconfigured to come into surface contact with the film antenna 121.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 12 , a selection portion which isopposite to the side where the contact portion 311 is connected to thecommunication infrastructure 202 is configured to be a U-shape. Inaddition, instead of the U-shape, an L-shape may be employed. Any shapemay be employed as long as the shape can maintain a state of beingreliably in contact with the film antenna 121. In addition, as long asit is configured so that a connector or a contact point of the contactportion can come into contact with the film antenna 121, any shape maybe employed as the shape of the contact portion 311.

The film antenna 121 can be included in the front panel 101 by using amethod such as insert molding or two-color molding during themanufacturing of the front panel 101. According to this configuration,it is possible to perform the further optimized measure such asdownsizing in a component configuration. In addition, it is possible toreduce labor and time during the manufacturing.

Next, FIG. 13 illustrates an example of the rear surface of thecommunication board 202.

The rear surface of the communication board 202 (surface opposing thebottom surface 221 of the storage case 102) has the LED unit 182 a onthe upper central side in the drawing, the LED unit 182 b on the leftlower side from the LED unit 182 a in the drawing, and the LED unit 182c on the right lower side from the LED 182 b in the drawing, as the LEDindicator 182.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of an internal configuration when thesmart unit 62 is laterally viewed.

In FIG. 14 , arrows illustrated near the LED units 182 a to 182 c andthe light guide plate 105 represent light progressing directions. Inaddition, in FIG. 14 , bold arrows represent light leaking directionsrespectively from the openings 102 a ₁ and 102 a ₂.

As illustrated in FIG. 14 , the rear surface of the communication board202 is arranged to oppose the concave surface 105 a of the light guideplate 105 stored in the through hole 102 a.

For example, the LED unit 182 a emits the white light in the leftwarddirection in the drawing. That is, for example, the LED unit 182 a isconfigured to have a right angle type LED arranged on the rear surfaceof the communication board 202 so that a surface of the communicationboard 202 (horizontal direction in the drawing) is coincident with anoptical axis of the LED and a light emitting surface of the LED isdirected in the leftward direction in the drawing. The LED unit 182 aemits the light in the leftward direction in the drawing.

The LED unit 182 b emits the light in the downward direction in thedrawing. That is, for example, the LED unit 182 b is configured to havea top entry type LED arranged on the rear surface of the communicationboard 202 so that a normal direction to the surface of the communicationboard 202 (vertical direction in the drawing) is coincident with theoptical axis of the LED and the light emitting surface of the LED isdirected in the downward direction in the drawing. The LED unit 182 bemits the light having an angle wider than that of the LED unit 182 a.

In addition, the LED unit 182 b has an LED emitting the red light, anLED emitting the green light and an LED emitting the blue light, as thetop entry type LED. Therefore, the LED unit 182 b is adapted to emitlight having various colors, depending on light emitting brightness ofthe respective LEDs.

Furthermore, the respective LEDs included in the LED unit 182 b areadapted to have an angle wider than that of the LEDs included in the LEDunit 182 a, and thus emit the light in a range wider than that of theLEDs included in the LED unit 182 a. The LED unit 182 c is configuredsimilarly to the LED unit 182 b.

The light guide plate 105 is stored in the storage case 102 so as toclose the opening 102 a ₁ disposed on the front surface 224 of thestorage case 102 and the opening 102 a ₂ disposed on the bottom surface221 of the storage case 102.

In addition, the light guide plate 105 has the concave surface 105 aformed to surround the LED unit 182 a, the LED unit 182 b and the LEDunit 182 c which are disposed on the rear surface of the communicationboard 202.

Furthermore, for example, the light guide plate 105 is configured tohave a member such as a transparent plastic material which transmits thelight, and guides the light to the opening 102 a ₁ by causing theconcave surface 105 a to receive and diffuse the light emitted from theLED unit 182 a. In addition, for example, the light guide plate 105guides the light to the opening 102 a ₁ and the opening 102 a ₂ bycausing the concave surface 105 a to receive and diffuse the lightemitted from the LED unit 182 b and the LED unit 182 c.

In this manner, the light emitted from the LED unit 182 a, the LED unit182 b and the LED unit 182 c is diffused by the light guide plate 105 asin the arrows illustrated on the light guide plate 105 illustrated inFIG. 14 , thereby becoming the light (diffused light) which feels softto humans.

Then, the diffused light which is diffused by the light guide plate 105is emitted from the opening 102 a ₁ or the opening 102 a ₂ as in thebold arrow illustrated in FIG. 14 . A state of the light emitted fromthe opening 102 a ₁ or the opening 102 a ₂ will be described in detailwith reference to FIGS. 18 and 19 .

It is desirable to configure the light guide plate 105 to have atransparent member to which a predetermined color is added, withoutusing a colorless and transparent member.

If the light guide plate 105 has a color, the color of the light guideplate 105 can prevent the LED unit 182 a, the LED unit 182 b and the LEDunit 182 c (particularly, a portion directly emitting the light) frombeing visible through the openings 102 a ₁ and 102 a ₂ from outside.

Therefore, for example, as compared to a case of using the light guideplate 105 formed to have the colorless and transparent member, it ispossible to more beautifully display the light emitted from the openings102 a ₁ and 102 a ₂ when the lighting is turned on.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of another configuration of the lightguide plate 105 to allow the light emitted from the LED indicator 182 tobe softer light. The upper surface and the lower surface of the lightguide plate 105 have a machined surface 351 and a machined surface 352which respectively have a waveform. The light guide plate 105 ispartially subjected to knurling.

The machined surface 351 is disposed on the upper surface in the rear ofthe LED indicator 182 (opposite side to the front panel 101) within thelight guide plate 105. The machined surface 352 is disposed on the lowersurface in the rear of the LED 182 (opposite side to the front panel101) within the light guide plate 105.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16 , the machined surface 351 is disposed in arange smaller than that of the machined surface 352. In addition, thewaveform of the machined surface 351 is larger than the waveform of themachined surface 352. In other words, whereas the waveform of themachined surface 351 is configured so that a height difference between apeak portion and a valley portion is large and a width of one wave iswide, the waveform of the machined surface 352 is configured so that aheight difference between a peak portion and a valley portion is smalland a width of one wave is narrow.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view when the smart unit 62 is viewed frombelow. The machined surface 352 is disposed on the lower surface off thesmart unit 62 illustrated in FIG. 17 . The machined surface 352 isconfigured to have a transparent member (semi-transparent member), andis configured to have a member which transmits the light.

In this configuration, the light emitted from the LED indicator 182 isdirectly emitted outward from the smart unit 62 via the machined surface352, is indirectly reflected on the machined surface 351, and is emittedoutward to the smart unit 62 via the machined surface 352.

The machined surface 351 is disposed so as to be capable of displayingthe soft light by diffusing the light emitted from the LED indicator182. If a degree of the light diffused by the machined surface 351 istoo strong, the light is not emitted in a wide range. Accordingly, thewaves of the machined surface 351 are configured to be coarse in theabove-described manner, thereby weakening the diffusion.

The machined surface 352 is also disposed so as to be capable ofpresenting the soft light by diffusing the light emitted from the LEDindicator 182. However, the waves are configured to be coarser than thatof the machined surface 351. It is possible to uniformize the diffusiondegrees by minutely setting the waves of the machined surface 352.

In this manner, the light guide plate 105 has two of the machinedsurface 351 and the machined surface 5352, and the respective machinedsurfaces are adapted to have the waveform. Accordingly, the lightemitted outward from the smart unit 62 can be made to feel soft. Inaddition, by causing the waveforms of two of the machined surface 351and the machined surface 352 to be different from each other, it ispossible to adjust a degree of the soft impression on the light or lightintensity.

In addition, the machined surface 351 and the machined surface 352 whichhave the waveform diffuse the light emitted from the LED indicator 182,thereby enabling the light emitted from the LED indicator 182 to beblended. That is, for example, as described by referring to FIG. 13 ,the LED indicator 182 is configured to have the LED units 182 a, 182 band 183 c. Thus, it is possible to assign the LED units to respectivelyemit the red (R) light, the green (G) light and the blue (B) light.

The red light, the green light and the blue light of the LED indicator182 can be diffused and mixed by the machined surface 351 and themachined surface 352. It is possible to express more colors by adjustingand matching the light intensity of the respective LED units 182 a, 182b and 183 c.

The machined surface 352 is disposed on the lower surface of the frontpanel 101, and is disposed to have a member different from that of thefront panel 101. The machined surface 352 is disposed by being molded sothat a portion of the lower surface of the front panel 101 is cut outand the cut-out portion has the waveform by using the transparent member(semi-transparent member).

When this machined surface 352 is configured to have the transparentmember and not to have the waveform, the LED indicator 182 or thecommunication infrastructure 202, for example, which is disposed insidethe front panel 101, is visible to a user. There also exists the designallowing the internal configuration of the communication infrastructure202 or the like to be visible to the user. However, when the internalconfiguration is not intended to be visible to the user instead of theabove-described design, it is advantageous to configure the machinedsurface 352 to have the waveform.

That is, since the machined surface 352 has the waveform, it is possibleto prevent the internal configuration of the smart unit 62 from beingvisible through the machined surface 352 formed of the transparentmember. In addition, since the waveform of the machined surface 352 isadapted to have the minute wave, it is possible to further enhance anadvantageous effect that the interior thereof is not visible. Then, asdescribed above, since the waveform of the machined surface 352 isadapted to have the minute wave, it is also possible to obtain anadvantageous effect that the diffused light can be uniformized.

As illustrated in FIG. 17 , it is preferable to configure a direction ofthe waveform of the machined surface 352 to be a direction the same as alongitudinal direction of the smart unit 62 when the smart unit 62 isviewed from below. In other words, it is preferable that the wave of themachined surface 352 be disposed so that a line drawn portion on themachined surface 352 in FIG. 17 , which is the peak portion (valleyportion) of the machined surface 352, is parallel with the front panel101.

Since the machined surface 352 is disposed to have the waveform in thismanner, it is possible to further enhance the advantageous effect thatthe wave causes the internal configuration of the smart unit 62 to beunlikely to be visible when viewed from the front panel 101 side.

In this manner, it is possible to diffuse the light by disposing themachined surface 351 and the machined surface 352 in the light guideplate 105, and thus it is possible to obtain a higher design quality.The machined surface 352 is configured to have the transparent(semi-transparent) member. However, the machined surface 351 may beconfigured to have the member which can diffuse the light, and is notnecessarily configured to have the transparent (semi-transparent)member.

[Example of Light Distribution]

Next, FIG. 18 illustrates an example when the smart unit 62 is viewedfrom front in a case where the LED unit 182 a, the LED unit 182 b andthe LED unit 182 c are turned on.

In order to prevent the drawing from being complicated, FIG. 18illustrates only the light guide plate 105 which is present in the lowerside of the front panel 101.

FIG. 18 illustrates the brightness of the light by using a grayscale.FIG. 18 illustrates that it becomes brighter as it is closer to thewhite color and it becomes darker as it is closer to the black color.This is the same in FIG. 19 (to be described later).

When the LED unit 182 a, the LED unit 182 b and the LED unit 182 c areturned on, as illustrated in FIG. 18 , the light guide plate 105 is abright in the central portion in the drawing, and becomes dark as if thebrightness vanishes as it goes from the central portion in the drawingto the rightward and leftward directions in the drawing.

That is, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 , the LED 182 ais disposed in the front panel 101 side rather than the LED unit 182 band the LED unit 182 c.

Therefore, as illustrated in the center of FIG. 18 , the light emittedfrom the LED unit 182 a closest to the front panel 101 side is seeminglythe brightest.

In addition, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 13 , the LED unit 182a, the LED unit 182 b and the LED unit 182 c are disposed in the centralportion of the communication board 202.

Therefore, as illustrated in the left side of FIG. 18 and the right sideof FIG. 18 , the light emitted from the LED unit 182 b and the LED unit182 c becomes dark as if the brightness vanishes as it is away from thecenter in FIG. 18 .

Next, FIG. 19 illustrates an example when the display body 61 and thesmart unit 62 are detached from the stand 63 and are used as thetelevision receiver 41 for wall mounting.

FIG. 19 illustrates the smart unit 62 and only an interior (wall andfloor portions) in which the smart unit 62 is arranged.

As illustrated in FIG. 19 , in the wall on which the smart unit 62 isarranged, circular light is emitted to the lower side of the smart unit62.

This is due to the fact that the opening 102 a ₂ having a crescent shapeas illustrated in FIG. 5 is disposed on the bottom surface 221 of thestorage case 102.

The brightness distribution of the light emitted from the smart unit 62is made as described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19 . Accordingly, itis possible to express the soft light as if the light surrounds thesmart unit 62.

When the display body 61 to which the smart unit 62 is added is attachedto the stand 63, the stand 63 functions as the wall on which the lightis reflected. Similarly to the case of the television receiver 41 forwall mounting, the soft light is emitted as if the light surrounds thesmart unit 62.

That is, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 20 , a concave surface 63 arepresenting a recessed surface is disposed in the stand 63. In thismanner, the light emitted from the opening 102 a ₂ of the smart unit 62may be reflected on the concave surface 63 a.

Since the concave surface 63 a functions as the wall used in wallmounting, the light is expressed as if the light surrounds the smartunit 62. A shape of the concave surface 63 a disposed in the stand 63may be a shape such as a triangular pyramid and a quadrangular pyramid,or a shape such as a rectangular parallelepiped.

That is, the light emitted from the opening 102 a ₂ of the smart unit 62is reflected on the concave surface 63 a formed in the stand 63 and isemitted in a front surface direction (leftward direction in the drawingin FIG. 20 ). In this manner, it is possible to express the lightsimilar to the light when the television receiver 41 is used in the wallmounting.

In addition, in order to improve reception sensitivity for the wirelesssignal in the smart unit 62, the concave surface 63 a of the stand 63may employ a shape which allows the wireless signal to be reflected onthe stand 63 and to be directed toward the smart unit 62 (for example, arecessed shape such as a shape of a parabolic antenna).

Incidentally, as described above, the case where the smart unit 62 hasthe built-in film antenna 121 has been described. However, aconfiguration may be made where a different type antenna from the filmantenna 121 is built therein.

That is, as long as the antenna is stored on the front surface 224 whichis the protruding section of the storage case 102 in the smart unit 62,any type of antenna may be built therein.

Here, an example has been described where the antenna is stored on thefront surface 224 which is the protruding section of the storage case102 in the smart unit 62. However, as described below, the arrangementposition of the antenna is not limited to the front surface 224, and maybe within the smart unit 62.

[Example when Using Another Antenna]

Next, FIG. 21 illustrates an example of the communication board 202 inwhich a metal sheet antenna is disposed.

As illustrated in FIG. 21 , the surface of the communication board 202has the metal sheet antennae 241L and 241R which are formed in anL-shape and have a metal sheet.

FIG. 22 illustrates an example of an internal configuration when thesmart unit 62 having the built-in communication board 202 of FIG. 21 islaterally viewed.

In FIG. 22 , in order to prevent the drawing from being complicated, aportion of the rear surface side (side on which the rear cover 104 ispresent) of the smart unit 62 is omitted in the illustration.

In FIG. 22 , the metal sheet antennae 241L and 241R are arranged infront of the front surface of the display body 61 (further left sidefrom a dashed line illustrated in FIG. 22 ), on the surface of thecommunication board 202.

In addition, the camera board 201 is also similarly arranged in front ofthe front surface of the display body 61. That is, similar to the metalsheet antennae 241L and 241R, the brightness sensor 172 and the IR lightreceiving unit 173 which are disposed on the camera board 201 are alsoarranged in front of the front surface of the display body 61.

Next, FIG. 23 is a front view of the smart unit 62 in which the metalsheet antennae 2411L and 241R are disposed. The metal sheet antennae241L and 241R are respectively arranged on the rear surface of the frontpanel 101 as illustrated in FIG. 23 .

As described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 23 , in the smart unit 62,the metal sheet antennae 241L and 241R and the IR light receiving unit173 are arranged in front of the front surface of the display body 61.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation where the display body61 causes degradation in the reception sensitivity for the wirelesssignal received by the metal sheet antennae 241L and 241R or theoperation signal (IR signal) serving as the wireless signal received bythe IR light receiving unit 173.

In addition, in the smart unit 62, the brightness sensor 172 is alsosimilarly arranged in front of the front surface of the display body 61.Therefore, the brightness sensor 172 can detect brightness of a placewhere the user is expected to view the contents such as a broadcastingprogram displayed on the display screen of the display body 61. This isthe same as in a case of employing the film antenna 121.

Furthermore, an arrangement position of another antenna will bedescribed. FIG. 24 illustrates a configuration of the communicationinfrastructure 202 when the BT antenna 186 and the Wi-Fi antenna 188 aredisposed in the communication infrastructure 202. The BT antenna 186 andthe Wi-Fi antenna 188 are separately arranged as much as possible. Thiscan prevent a situation where interference occurs between the wirelesscommunication using Bluetooth (registered trademark) and the wirelesscommunication using the Wi-Fi.

Furthermore, a gasket 401 and a gasket 402 are disposed in order toprevent the communication interference between the BT antenna 186 andthe Wi-Fi antenna 188. The gasket 401 is disposed on the BT antenna 186side and the gasket 402 is disposed on the Wi-Fi antenna 188 side. Thegasket 401 is disposed to prevent the communication transmitted from theBT antenna 186 from leaking out to the Wi-Fi antenna 188 side. Thegasket 402 is disposed to prevent the communication transmitted from theWi-Fi antenna 188 from leaking out to the BT antenna 186 side.

It is possible to dispose another antenna or the control unit 179 (notillustrated in FIG. 24 ) between the gasket 401 and the gasket 402. Thegasket 401 and the gasket 402 may be configured to have the same memberor may be configured to have different members. It is preferable toconfigure the gasket 401 to have a material and a size which canefficiently block the communication transmitted from the BT antenna 186.Similarly, it is preferable to configure the gasket 402 to have amaterial and a size which can efficiently block the communicationtransmitted from the Wi-Fi antenna 188.

FIG. 25 is a view when the communication infrastructure 202 is viewed inthe horizontal direction. The arrow in the drawing represents adirection in which the wireless signal is transmitted. FIG. 25 is a viewwhen viewed from the Wi-Fi antenna 188 side disposed on thecommunication infrastructure 202. Accordingly, the gasket 402 isdisposed in a rearward direction in the drawing. The lower surface ofthe display body 61 is configured to be located at a position in contactwith the upper surface of the gasket 402, which is the upper portion ofthe Wi-Fi antenna 188.

The lower surface of the frame of the display body 61 is generallyconfigured to have a material which is not suitable for goodcommunication, for example, to include a metal or the like.Alternatively, at least the frame of a portion in contact with the frameof the smart unit 62 is configured to include the material which is notsuitable for good communication, such as the metal. According to thisconfiguration, it is possible to block the communication (radio waveinterference) in an upward direction of the Wi-Fi antenna 188 asillustrated in FIG. 25 .

This configuration enables the frame of the display body 61 to block thecommunication leaking from the Wi-Fi antenna 188 to the BT antenna 186through the upper portion of the gasket 402. Although not illustrated,similarly, the upper portion of the gasket 401 and the lower surface ofthe frame of the display body 61 are configured to be in contact witheach other. Accordingly, this configuration enables the frame of thedisplay body 61 to block the communication leaking from the BT antenna186 to the Wi-Fi antenna 188 through the upper portion of the gasket401.

Referring to FIG. 25 , the signal transmitted from the Wi-Fi antenna 188is blocked by the upper side and the gasket 402 side, but is transmittedoutward from the smart unit 62 in the forward direction, in the rearwarddirection and in the direction opposite to the gasket 402. Although notillustrated, similarly, the signal transmitted from the BT antenna 186is blocked by the upper side and the gasket 401 side, but is transmittedoutward from the smart unit 62 in the forward direction, in the rearwarddirection and in the direction opposite to the gasket 401.

The configuration of disposing the gaskets in this manner can preventthe situation where the interference occurs between the wirelesscommunication using Bluetooth (registered trademark) and the wirelesscommunication using the Wi-Fi via the BT antenna 186 and the Wi-Fiantenna 188. The communication in a necessary direction can beefficiently performed while preventing the interference. Therefore,there is no possibility of interfering with the communication.

The BT antenna 186 and the Wi-Fi antenna 188 which are disposed in thecommunication infrastructure 202 may be configured to be a single boardintegrated with the communication infrastructure 202, or can beconfigured to have a member connected to the communicationinfrastructure 202 (state where all are not disposed on thecommunication infrastructure 202, but a portion is disposed on thecommunication infrastructure 202). For example, a connector such as a Bto B connector may be used and the BT antenna 186 and the Wi-Fi antenna188 may be disposed so as to be in contact with the communicationinfrastructure 202. In addition, the BT antenna 186 and the Wi-Fiantenna 188 are not limited to the shape of the film. Whatever shape theantenna has, the present technology can be applied thereto.

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, a case has been described wherethe smart unit 62 has the functional configuration as illustrated inFIG. 7 . However, the functional configuration of the smart unit 62 isnot limited thereto.

That is, for example, the smart unit 62 may be configured to have therelay unit 171, the brightness sensor 172, the IR light receiving unit173, the relay unit 178, the control unit 179, the USB terminalconnection part 180, the USB terminal connection part 181 and the LEDindicator 182.

In addition, for example, in the smart unit 62, a new functional block(for example, a new camera or the like) may be disposed in theconfiguration as illustrated in FIG. 7 . Furthermore, for example, aconfiguration can be made so that the number of any antenna out of theBT antenna 186, the NFC antenna 187 and the Wi-Fi antenna 188 may be oneor two for the antenna built in the smart unit 62 in FIG. 7 .

The smart unit 62 is adapted to have a size and a shape which varydepending on the number of components built in the housing thereof.

[Example of Appearance of Another Television Receiver]

FIGS. 26 to 41 illustrate examples of appearances of first to fifthtelevision receivers configured to have a smart unit, a display body anda stand.

That is, FIG. 26 is a front view of the first television receiver when asurface having a display is viewed from front, and FIG. 27 is a sideview when the first television receiver illustrated in FIG. 26 is viewedfrom the right side of FIG. 26 . In addition, FIG. 28 is a top view whenthe first television receiver illustrated in FIG. 26 is viewed fromabove in FIG. 26 .

FIG. 29 is a front view of the second television receiver when thesurface having the display is viewed from front, and FIG. 30 is a sideview when the second television receiver illustrated in FIG. 29 isviewed from the right side of FIG. 29 . In addition, FIG. 31 is a topview when the second television receiver illustrated in FIG. 29 isviewed from above in FIG. 29 .

FIG. 32 is a front view of the third television receiver when thesurface having the display is viewed from front, and FIG. 33 is a sideview when the third television receiver illustrated in FIG. 32 is viewedfrom the right side of FIG. 32 . In addition, FIG. 34 is a top view whenthe third television receiver illustrated in FIG. 32 is viewed fromabove in FIG. 32 .

FIG. 35 is a front view of the fourth television receiver when thesurface having the display is viewed from front, and FIG. 36 is a sideview when the fourth television receiver illustrated in FIG. 35 isviewed from the right side of FIG. 35 . In addition, FIG. 37 is a topview when the fourth television receiver illustrated in FIG. 35 isviewed from above in FIG. 35 .

FIG. 38 is a front view of the fifth television receiver when thesurface having the display is viewed from front, and FIG. 39 is a sideview when the fifth television receiver illustrated in FIG. 38 is viewedfrom the right side of FIG. 38 . In addition, FIG. 40 is a top view whenthe fifth television receiver illustrated in FIG. 38 is viewed fromabove in FIG. 38 . Furthermore, FIG. 41 is a perspective view when thefifth television receiver illustrated in FIG. 38 is viewed in an obliquedirection.

Next, FIGS. 42 to 50 illustrate examples of appearance of sixth toeighth television receivers configured to have a smart unit and adisplay body.

The sixth to eighth television receivers are used in a televisionreceiver for wall mounting without being supported by a stand.

FIG. 42 is a front view of the sixth television receiver when thesurface having the display is viewed from front, and FIG. 43 is a sideview when the sixth television receiver illustrated in FIG. 42 is viewedfrom the right side of FIG. 42 . In addition, FIG. 44 is a top view whenthe sixth television receiver illustrated in FIG. 42 is viewed fromabove in FIG. 42 .

FIG. 45 is a front view of the seventh television receiver when thesurface having the display is viewed from front, and FIG. 46 is a sideview when the seventh television receiver illustrated in FIG. 45 isviewed from the right side of FIG. 45 . In addition, FIG. 47 is a topview when the seventh television receiver illustrated in FIG. 45 isviewed from above in FIG. 45 .

FIG. 48 is a front view of the eighth television receiver when thesurface having the display is viewed from front, and FIG. 49 is a sideview when the eighth television receiver illustrated in FIG. 48 isviewed from the right side of FIG. 48 . In addition, FIG. 50 is a topview when the eighth television receiver illustrated in FIG. 48 isviewed from above in FIG. 48 .

3. Modification Example

In the present embodiment, the smart unit 62 is added to the displaybody 61 and exchanges data with display body 61 via a signal line.

However, if the smart unit 62 is configured to exchange the data withthe display body 61 by the wireless communication for example, it is notnecessary that the smart unit 62 be connected to the display body 61.Accordingly, it is possible to arrange the smart unit 62 in a user'sdesired place. In this case, it is assumed that the smart unit 62 has abuilt-in battery for supplying power to each unit.

In addition, the smart unit 62 can be configured to image a viewer byusing the built-in camera 175 and to recognize the viewer based on acaptured image obtained by imaging. In this case, the smart unit 62supplies the recognition result to the display body 61. The display body61 can display contents which match preference of the viewer who isrecognized based on the recognition result supplied from the smart unit62.

In addition, for example, the smart unit 62 may be detached from thedisplay body 61 and may be used as a surveillance camera for example. Inthis case, for example, the smart unit 62 can cause the built-in camera175 to image the surroundings, and can transmit the captured imageobtained by imaging to the display body 61 using the wirelesscommunication so as to display the captured image.

In the smart unit 62, a relatively small display unit may be disposed onthe surface of the front panel 101 to display predetermined informationon the display unit.

That is, for example, if the display unit disposed on the surface of thefront panel 101 is caused to display the predetermined information (forexample, current time), a user can easily recognize the predeterminedinformation even when the user views the contents displayed on thedisplay body 61.

Here, as the display unit, in addition to an organic EL display forexample, it is possible to employ electronic paper which can displaycharacters or the like even in a de-energized state.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the USB terminal connectionparts 180 and 181 are disposed in the smart unit 62.

However, in the smart unit 62, a terminal connection portion of the USBterminal connection parts 180 and 181 can be configured to protrude fromthe housing of the smart unit 62.

In addition, for example, the terminal connection portion of the USBterminal connection parts 180 and 181 may be caused to protrude from thehousing of the smart unit 62, and the protruding section may beconfigured to be rotatable around the smart unit 62 in a predetermineddirection.

Furthermore, for example, in the USB terminal connection parts 180 and181, a configuration may be made so that the terminal connectionportion, to which a signal line which can be extended from the housingof the smart unit 62 by a predetermined length is connected, is drawnout from the inside of the housing. The respective terminal connectionportions of the USB terminal connection parts 180 and 181 are connectedto the USB terminal connection parts 180 and 181 inside the housing viathe connected signal line.

As described above, if the USB terminal connection parts 180 and 181 areincluded in the configuration, when connecting the USB memory or thelike thereto, the terminal connection portions of the USB terminalconnection parts 180 and 181 can be taken outward from the housing ofthe smart unit 62. Therefore, it is possible to easily connect the USBmemory or the like thereto.

In the present embodiment, the USB terminal connection parts 180 and 181are disposed in the smart unit 62. However, in addition, instead of theUSB terminal connection parts 180 and 181, for example, a HDMI terminalconnection part for connecting a HDMI terminal may be disposed. That is,without being limited to the USB terminal, types of terminals connectedto the smart unit 62 may be the HDMI terminal or the like. Aconfiguration may be made so that multiple types of terminals can beconnected thereto.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the smart unit 62 is added tothe display body 61. However, a target to which the smart unit 62 isadded is not limited to the display body 61. For example, the smart unit62 can be added to a personal computer or the like.

Incidentally, this technology can adopt the following configurations.

(1) A connection device that can be connected to an electronic deviceincludes: a receiving unit that receives a wireless signal transmittedby radio; a relay unit that relays the received wireless signal to theelectronic device; a terminal connection part which is connected to aconnection terminal; a storage unit that stores the receiving unit, therelay unit and the terminal connection part; and a device connectionunit that connects the storage unit to the electronic device. In a stateof being connected to the electronic device, in a normal direction to apredetermined housing surface on a housing of the electronic device, thestorage unit has a protruding section which protrudes further than thehousing surface and stores the receiving unit in the protruding section.

(2) In the connection device described in (1), the storage unit has theprotruding section which covers a portion of the housing surface.

(3) The connection device described in (1) or (2) further includes alight emitting unit that emits light based on a control signaltransmitted from the electric device. The storage unit stores the lightemitting unit.

(4) In the connection device described in (1) to (3), the receiving unitis an antenna for receiving the wireless signal.

(5) In the connection device described in (4), the receiving unit is theantenna formed on a film.

(6) The connection device described in (4) further includes aplate-shaped member having the antenna. The storage unit stores theplate-shaped member in a place where the antenna is stored in theprotruding section.

(7) In the connection device described in (1) to (6), the deviceconnection unit is attachable to and detachable from the electronicdevice.

(8) In the connection device described in (1) to (7), the receiving unitis molded in a state of being included in the protruding section and hasa cutout section which exposes the receiving unit in a portion of theprotruding section. A connection portion connected to the relay unit ispositioned in the cutout section and is in contact with the receivingunit.

(9) In the connection device described in (1), the receiving unit has aplurality of receiving parts receiving different communication, and ablocking unit which blocks radio wave interference is disposed betweenthe plurality of receiving parts.

(10) In the connection device described in (9), an upper surface of theblocking unit is in contact with a portion of the housing of theelectronic device.

(11) In the connection device described in (1) to (9), the electronicdevice is a television receiver having a display unit. In a state ofbeing connected to the television receiver, in a normal direction to thehousing surface having the display unit on the housing of the televisionreceiver, the storage unit has the protruding section which protrudesfurther than the housing surface and stores the receiving unit in theprotruding section.

This disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, andcan be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of thisdisclosure.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

41 TELEVISION RECEIVER, 61 DISPLAY BODY, 62 SMART UNIT, 63 STAND, 63 aCONCAVE SURFACE, 101 FRONT PANEL, 101 a EXPOSURE HOLE, 102 STORAGE CASE,102 a THROUGH HOLE, 102 a ₁, 102 a ₂ OPENING, 102 b, 102 c CYLINDRICALPORTION, 102 d RECESS, 102 e HOLE, 102 f GROOVE, 103 CONNECTION MEMBER,104 REAR COVER, 105 LIGHT GUIDE PLATE, 105 a CONCAVE SURFACE, 111 RIGHTEND PORTION, 112 LOWER END PORTION, 121 FILM ANTENNA, 121 a SIGNAL LINE,171 RELAY UNIT, 172 BRIGHTNESS SENSOR, 173 IR LIGHT RECEIVING UNIT, 174ENCODER, 175 CAMERA, 176, 177 MICROPHONE, 178 RELAY UNIT, 179 CONTROLUNIT, 180, 181 USB TERMINAL CONNECTION PART, 182 LED INDICATOR, 182 a to182 c LED UNIT, 183 TOUCH DETECTION UNIT, 184, 185 DETECTION ELECTRODE,186 BT ANTENNA, 187 NFC ANTENNA, 188 Wi-Fi ANTENNA, 201 CAMERA BOARD,202 COMMUNICATION BOARD, 221 BOTTOM SURFACE, 222, 223 SIDE SURFACE, 224FRONT SURFACE, 241L, 241R METAL SHEET ANTENNA

The invention claimed is:
 1. A connection device connectable to anelectronic device which includes a display unit having a displaysurface, said connection device comprising: a receiving unit configuredto (i) receive a wireless signal transmitted by radio and (ii) detect anapproaching operation of a user's hand or a touching operation and,based on a detection result therefrom, provide a sensor signal; a relayunit configured to relay the received wireless signal and the sensorsignal to the electronic device; a light emitting unit configured toemit light based on a control signal transmitted from the electronicdevice; and a storage unit that stores the receiving unit and the relayunit, the storage unit including a connecting portion to detachablymount the connection device to or along an external front surface of theelectronic device, wherein the receiving unit includes a film antennahaving an antenna portion to receive the wireless signal and a touchdetection portion configured to detect the approaching operation or thetouching operation.
 2. The connection device according to claim 1,further comprising: a terminal connection part which is connected to aconnection terminal, wherein the storage unit stores the terminalconnection part.
 3. The connection device according to claim 1, whereinthe connecting portion forms a well area that is used to detachablymount the connection device to the external front surface of theelectronic device.
 4. The connection device according to claim 1,wherein the receiving unit is molded in a state of being included in aprotruding section of the storage unit and the protruding section has acutout section which exposes the receiving unit through a portion of theprotruding section, and wherein a connection section connected to therelay unit is positioned in the cutout section and is in contact withthe receiving unit.
 5. The connection device according to claim 1,wherein the antenna portion of the film antenna of the receiving unithas a plurality of receiving parts receiving different communications,and wherein a blocking unit which blocks radio wave interference isdisposed between the plurality of receiving parts.
 6. The connectiondevice according to claim 5, wherein an upper surface of the blockingunit is in contact with a portion of a housing of the electronic device.7. The connection device according to claim 1, wherein the electronicdevice is a television receiver.
 8. The connection device of claim 1,wherein the external front surface is formed along an edge of theelectronic device.
 9. The connection device of claim 8, wherein the edgecomprises a lower edge of the electronic device when assembled and theconnecting portion is mountable at a midpoint of the lower edge of theelectronic device.
 10. A connection device connectable to an electronicdevice which includes a display unit having a display surface, theconnection device comprising: a receiver for (i) receiving a wirelesssignal transmitted by radio and (ii) detecting an approaching operationof a user's hand or a touching operation and, based on a detectionresult therefrom, for providing a sensor signal; a relay that transmitsthe received wireless signal and the sensor signal to the electronicdevice; a storage case formed on a surface of the connection device andused to store the receiver and the relay; and a connection member forconnecting the storage case to the electronic device so as to enable theconnection device to be connected to or along a portion of a front sideof the electronic device, wherein the receiver includes a film antennahaving an antenna portion to receive the wireless signal and a touchdetection portion configured to detect the approaching operation or thetouching operation.
 11. A connection device connectable to an electronicdevice which includes a display unit having a display surface, saidconnection device comprising: a receiving device for (i) receiving awireless signal transmitted and (ii) detecting an approaching operationof a user's hand or a touching operation and, based on a detectionresult therefrom, for providing a sensor signal; relay circuitry forrelaying the received wireless signal and the sensor signal to theelectronic device; a storage compartment for storing the receivingdevice, the relay circuitry and the light emitting unit; and a deviceconnection member for connecting the storage compartment to theelectronic device so as to enable the connection device to be connectedalong a side of the electronic device and to be positioned along a frontsurface of the electronic device wherein the receiving device includes afilm antenna having an antenna portion to receive the wireless signaland a touch detection portion configured to detect the approachingoperation or the touching operation.
 12. The connection device of claim11, wherein the film antenna is a Bluetooth antenna.
 13. The connectiondevice of claim 11, wherein the film antenna is a near fieldcommunication antenna.
 14. The connection device of claim 11, whereinthe film antenna is a Wi-Fi communication antenna.